WEEKEND OF April 12-13, 2008
Naturalist Reports:
Our San Francisco and Half Moon Bay trips had great weather and excellent sightings. In all, over a dozen California gray whales were sighted, including three mothers with calves. In all cases, the whales were focused on their migration, moving at 5 to 6 knots, and the boats were able to parallel them with great sightings for up to an hour. The boats also encountered up to 50 harbor porpoises, plus California sea lions, Steller sea lions, harbor seals, and one northern fur seal.
Bird sightings included loons, grebes, shearwaters, pelicans, cormorants, scoters, oystercatchers, phalaropes, gulls, murres, terns, auklets, and puffins.
Naturalist led trips for the Gray Whale Migration continue through April and mid-May when both gray and humpback whales may be sighted: Trips Depart from Half Moon Bay and San Francisco.
Educational trips to the Farallon Islands and, weather permitting, the Continental Shelf depart from San Francisco only on weekends May through November. Trips are filling up. Make your reservations today! Call (415) 474-3385. Or simply download our registration form and fax it to our office, (415) 474-3395. Or register via Acteva as offered at the bottom of the Gray Whale Migration and Farallon Islands schedule.
In cooperation with Cascadia Research, the Oceanic Society sponsors long-term humpack whale research in the Gulf of the Farallones. Many of the whale watching trips include dedicated whale field researchers.
WEEKEND OF October 17-18, 2007
Trip Report:
Saturday's trip was greeted by a large group of harbor porpoises under the Golden Gate Bridge. During the trip we encountered over 200 Pacific whitesided dolphins and at least 6 Risso's dolphins, also called Grampus. We also saw California sea lions, Steller sea lions, northern elephant seals, and harbor seals. Bird sightings included loons, grebes, shearwaters, petrels, pelicans, cormorants, scoters, gulls terns, murres and pigeon guillemots
Sunday's trip several dozen harbor porpoises greet our boat as we passed under the Golden Gate Bridge, Three miles south of the Farallones, we came upon a spectacular group of 10 humpbacks that were feeding next to the boat, accompanied by a pod of at least 100 Pacific whitesided dolphins, plus northern right whale dolphins and California sea lions, We stayed with this mixed group for over two hours and everyone on board had great sightings. During the trip, we also encountered over 1,000 California sea lions, over three-dozen harbor seals, and several Steller sea lions. We also observed a great white shark breaching near the Farallones' east landing. Bird sightings included loons, grebes, shearwaters, brown pelicans, cormorants, scoters, gulls, murres and rhinocerous auklets.
Oil Spill Update: During our offshore cruises, Oceanic Society has provided information on any marine life affected by the oil spill to the appropriate oil spill response agencies.
For current information on the oil spill: Please do not call this number about volunteering. Contact Oiled Wildlife Care Network: Main phone number: (530) 752-4167 FAX: (530) 752-3318 http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/owcn e-mail: wildlifehealth @ ucdavis.edu. If you want to volunteer: Please call the volunteer hotline, (800) 228-4544. If you see oiled wildlife: Don't approach or pick it up, but call (877) 823-6926 to report it.
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Naturalist led trips to the Farallon Islands and, weather permitting, the Continental Shelf depart from San Franciscoo on weekends May through November. Trips are filling up. Make your reservations today! Call (415) 474-3385. Or simply download our registration form and fax it to our office, (415) 474-3395. Or register via Acteva as offered at the bottom of the Farallon Islands schedule.
In cooperation with Cascadia Research, the Oceanic Society sponsors long-term humpack whale research in the Gulf of the Farallones. Many of the whale watching trips include dedicated whale field researchers.
Look for our Adopt-A-Whale program to be launched this fall. You can keep up with the life histories of individual Farallon Islands whales and learn their migration routes.
WEEKEND OF October 2, 3,4 2007
Trip Report:
Friday's trip started out somewhat foggy but cleared as we got closer to the Farallones. As our boat approached the Continental Shelf, we were joined by about 50 Pacific white-sided dolphins. As we headed back to the islands, we came upon two humpback whales that stayed with us for quite some time, rising to the surface over 30 times, with 3 breaches and lunge feeding within 200 yards of the boat. We also encountered California sea lions and harbor seals. Bird sightings included grebes, shearwaters, storm-petrels, pelicans, cormorants, scoters, phalaropes, gulls, murres and pigeon guillemots.
Saturday's trip was spectacular. We first encountered up to 15 harbor porpoises under the Golden Gate Bridge, then a half dozen Dall's porpoises on the way to the Farallones. Southwest of the Islands, off the Continental shelf, we encountered 2 blue whales that came to within 25 yards of the boat, and that we stayed with us for over 40 minutes. Shortly after leaving the blue whales, we started seeing humpback whales at various times: over 20 in all, feeding and diving deep, with lots of great looks at blows and flukes. We also sighted a sunfish, also called mola mola,, plus California sea lions, northern elephant seals, harbor seals and northern fur seals. Bird sightings included loons, grebes, shearwaters, pelicans, cormorants, scoters, phalaropes, gulls, murres and guillemots.
Sunday's trip had many harbor porpoises under the Golden Gate Bridge and up to 20 Dall's porpoises as we headed to the Farallones. On this trip we encountered up to 25 humpback whales in smaller groups, mostly feeding. We also saw California sea lions, Steller sea lions, elephant seals, harbor seals, and fur seals. Bird sightings included grebes, shearwaters, pelicans, cormorants, gulls, murres and auklets.
Naturalist led trips to the Farallon Islands and, weather permitting, the Continental Shelf depart from San Franciscoo on weekends May through November. Trips are filling up. Make your reservations today! Call (415) 474-3385. Or simply download our registration form and fax it to our office, (415) 474-3395. Or register via Acteva as offered at the bottom of the Farallon Islands schedule.
In cooperation with Cascadia Research, the Oceanic Society sponsors long-term humpack whale research in the Gulf of the Farallones. Many of the whale watching trips include dedicated whale field researchers.
Look for our Adopt-A-Whale program to be launched this fall. You can keep up with the life histories of individual Farallon Islands whales and learn their migration routes.
WEEKEND OF October 27-28, 2007
Trip Report:
Saturday's trip first encountered a large group of harbor porpoises under the Golden Gate Bridge, then on the way to the Farallones we sighted a group of about 100 Risso's dolphins. During the trip, we encountered up to 22 humpback whales, many of which came close to the boat with everyone getting great views. We also had sightings of many California sea lions, Steller sea lions, elephant seals and harbor seals. Bird sightings included grebes, shearwaters, pelicans, cormorants, phalaropes, jaegers, gulls, murres, guillemots, and auklets.
Sunday's trip began with sightings of many harbor porpoises under the Golden Gate Bridge, then two Dall's porpoise on the way to the Farallones. All in all, 25 humpbacks were sighted during the trip, including a juvenile that breached ten times near the boat, plus many adults, some spending nearly 35 minutes near the vessel. Bird sightings included shearwaters, pelicans, cormorants, gulls, murres, guillemots, and auklets
Naturalist led trips to the Farallon Islands and, weather permitting, the Continental Shelf depart from San Franciscoo on weekends May through November. Trips are filling up. Make your reservations today! Call (415) 474-3385. Or simply download our registration form and fax it to our office, (415) 474-3395. Or register via Acteva as offered at the bottom of the Farallon Islands schedule.
In cooperation with Cascadia Research, the Oceanic Society sponsors long-term humpack whale research in the Gulf of the Farallones. Many of the whale watching trips include dedicated whale field researchers.
Look for our Adopt-A-Whale program to be launched this fall. You can keep up with the life histories of individual Farallon Islands whales and learn their migration routes.
WEEKEND OF October 13-14, 2007
Trip Report:
Saturday's trip was spectacular: calm seas, great visibility, and many of whales. A half dozen harbor porpoises greeted us both boats passed under the Golden Gate Bridge. Within a half-hour, we came upon our first humpback whales. All in all, both of our whale watch vessels encountered an estimated thirty humpback whales, and one surfaced right next to one of the boats. Everyone on both boats had great sightings. We also came upon a huge herd of between 500 and 1,000 Pacific whitesided dolphins, accompanied by up to 75 northern right whale dolphins, many of which rode the bow wave for a short distance. Our second vessel also sighted a group of about 30 Risso's dolphins. At the islands, we observed 150 to 200 California sea lions, 30-40 harbor seals, and four Steller sea lion. Bird sightings were outstanding, including grebes, shearwaters, pelicans, cormorants, scoters, gulls, and murres..
Sunday's trips found beautiful weather and calm seas for both vessels. The boats were first greeted by nearly 3 dozen harbor porpoises under the Golden Gate Bridge, During the trip both boats encountered up to 10 humpback whales about 3 miles from the Farallones, some of which actually swam directly under one of the boats. These sightings included two cow-calf pairs. We also had two sightings of Risso's dolphins; a small group of up to 6, then a larger group of up to 50. At the islands, we saw over 200 California sea lions. Bird sightings included loons, grebes, a Black-footed albatross, fulmers, shearwaters, pelicans, cormorants, gulls, murres, and auklets.
Naturalist led trips to the Farallon Islands and, weather permitting, the Continental Shelf depart from San Franciscoo on weekends May through November. Trips are filling up. Make your reservations today! Call (415) 474-3385. Or simply download our registration form and fax it to our office, (415) 474-3395. Or register via Acteva as offered at the bottom of the Farallon Islands schedule.
In cooperation with Cascadia Research, the Oceanic Society sponsors long-term humpack whale research in the Gulf of the Farallones. Many of the whale watching trips include dedicated whale field researchers.
Look for our Adopt-A-Whale program to be launched this fall. You can keep up with the life histories of individual Farallon Islands whales and learn their migration routes.
WEEKEND OF October 6-7, 2007
Trip Report:
Saturday's trip first encountered 10 to 15 harbor porpoises under the Golden Gate Bridge, then 4 to 5 Dall's porpoises rode the bow wave of our vessel for a few moments as we proceeded toward the Farallones. During the trip, we encountered up to 10 humpback whales, all adults, feeding at or near the surface. We also had sightings of up to 200 California sea lions and hundreds of moon jellyfish. Bird sightings included fulmers, shearwaters, pelicans, cormorants, scoters, Hermann's and western gulls, and common murres.
WEEKEND OF September 15-16, 2007
Trip Report:
September 15: Naturalist Susan Sherman and Peter Winch. On Saturday, both of our boats reported observing about 70 harbor porpoises under the Golden Gate Bridge. During the trip., there were sightings of between 25 and 30 humpback whales, mostly singles or pairs, deep-diving for schools of anchovies. Several of these whales came to within 50 feet of the boat and they stayed with us for between 15 minutes and half an hour. Also sighted were at least 7 blue sharks, over 300 California sea lions, 20 Steller sea lions and several northern fur seals. Bird sightings included Western Grebe, Black-footed Albatross, Pink-footed, Buller's and Sooty shearwater, pelicans, Double-crested, Brandt's and Pelagic cormorant, Red-necked Palarope, Black oyster catcher, Pomarine Jaeger, Heermann's, Ring-billed and Western gull, Elegant Tern, Common Murre, Pigeon Guillemot, Cassin's and Rhinoceros auklet, and Tufted Puffin. Some species were in large numbers including 1000 common murres and 300 sooty shearwaters.,
September 16: Naturalist Susan Sherman. The highlight of Sunday's trip was encountering 8-10 humpback whales, singles and pairs, which were in the company of at least 200 Pacific white-sided dolphins. Whales and dolphins were all feeding on the same big schools of anchovies. At one time, the vessel was surrounded by dolphins. The whales came close to our idling boat and one calf breached several times. Bird sightings included pink-footed and sooty shearwaters, pelicans, cormorants, oystercatchers, red necked phalaropes, gulls, elegant terns, common murres, pigeon guillemots, Cassin's and rhinoceros auklets, and tufted puffins.
Naturalist led trips to the Farallon Islands and, weather permitting, the Continental Shelf depart from San Franciscoo on weekends May through November. Trips are filling up. Make your reservations today! Call (415) 474-3385. Or simply download our registration form and fax it to our office, (415) 474-3395. Or register via Acteva as offered at the bottom of the Farallon Islands schedule.
In cooperation with Cascadia Research, the Oceanic Society sponsors long-term humpack whale research in the Gulf of the Farallones. Many of the whale watching trips include dedicated whale field researchers.
Look for our Adopt-A-Whale program to be launched this fall. You can keep up with the life histories of individual Farallon Islands whales and learn their migration routes.
WEEKEND OF September 8-9, 2007
Trip Report:
September 8: Naturalist Susan Sherman. Saturday's trip started with sightings of over two harbor porpoises under the Golden Gate Bridge. On this trip we sighted at least 25 humpback whales; all either lone individual adults, pairs of adults, or cow/calf pairs. One lunge-feeding humpback surfaced next to the boat, showing its extended throat grooves and there were many breaching whales sighted in the distance. On this trip we also saw blue sharks, northern fur seals with pups, California sea lions, Steller sea lions, elephant seals, and harbor seals. Bird sightings included shearwaters, storm petrels, pelicans, cormorants, oystercatchers, phalaropes, gulls, elegant terns, common murres, pigeon guillemots, Cassin's auklets, rhinoceros auklets, and many puffins in breeding plumage.
September 9: Naturalist Susan Sherman, Researcher Izzy Szczepaniak. Sunday's trip trip includes a sighting of over 50 harbor porpoises under the Golden Gate Bridge. As we headed toward the Farallones, we were surrounded by over 100 Pacific whitesided dolphins that rode Salty Lady's bow wave. Shortly after that, we came upon at least 30 humpback whales. Whales were, breaching and feeding on bait fish: singles, pairs, and cow/calf pairs. We also had a rare sighting of a six-foot leatherback turtle, which stayed at the surface near the boat for about a half hour. On this trip we also sighted blue sharks, northern fur seals with pups, California sea lions, Steller sea lions, elephant seals and harbor seals. Bird sightings included shearwaters, storm petrels, pelicans, cormorants, oystercatchers, phalaropes, jaegers, gulls, terns, murres, pigeon guillemots, Cassin's and rhinoceros auklets, and tufted puffins.
Natural History Note: Leatherbacks are the largest of all sea turtles with carapace lengths in the females up to 180cm (6 feet), the Leatherback develops no true carapace as do other turtles. Instead, the back is formed by a hard material that is sort of rubbery or like plastic, overlaying a very oily, cartilaginous mix interlaced with small bones. Along the back appear seven ridges and the overall color is a nearly black hue often blotched with pinks and whites. Moss Landing Marine Labs is conducting a coastal Leatherback turtle tagging project. Apparently a turtle tagged in 2000 traveled across the Pacific toward Indonesia and then turned around and headed back.
WEEKEND OF August 25-26, 2007
Trip Report:
August 25: Naturalist Eric Lichtward Saturday's trip was spectacular: calm seas, great visibility, and lots of whales. Several dozen harbor porpoises greeted us as we passed under the Golden Gate Bridge, Within a half-hour, we came upon our first humpback whales; a group of three smaller whales that may have been last year's calves. As we continued to the Farallons, then to the outer banks, we came upon another dozen whales, all of which appeared to be feeding. Everyone onboard had great sightings. During the trip, we also encountered over 1,000 California sea lions, nearly three dozen harbor seals, 25 northern fur seals, and a single Steller sea lion. Bird sightings were outstanding, including loons, Western grebes, shearwaters, pelicans, cormorants, phalaropes, gulls, elegant terns, murres, pigeon guillemots, auklets, and both tufted and horned puffins.
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August 26: Naturalist Peter White Sunday's trip was even more special; We were first greeted by nearly 2 dozen harbor porpoises under the Golden Gate Bridge, During the trip we encountered 14 humpback whales in all, including the first "friendly whale encounter" of the season, a single whale that came 3 times within 10 feet of our stationary boat and stayed with the vessel for over forty minutes. Whale watchers were able to observe a variety of behaviors including pectral fin slapping and breaching. Several small groups of humpacks were engaged in active feeding behavior. We also saw over 200 California sea lions, 60 Steller sea lions, and a few harbor seals. Bird sightings included shearwaters, pelicans, cormorants, phalaropes, skuas, gulls, elegant terns, over 2,000 common murres, 10 rhinocerous auklets, and 3 tufted puffins.
Naturalist led trips to the Farallon Islands and, weather permitting, the Continental Shelf depart from San Franciscoo on weekends May through November. Trips are filling up. Make your reservations today! Call (415) 474-3385. Or simply download our registration form and fax it to our office, (415) 474-3395. Or register via Acteva as offered at the bottom of the Farallon Islands schedule.
In cooperation with Cascadia Research, the Oceanic Society sponsors long-term humpack whale research in the Gulf of the Farallones. Many of the whale watching trips include dedicated whale field researchers.
Look for our Adopt-A-Whale program to be launched this fall. You can keep up with the life histories of individual Farallon Islands whales and learn their migration routes.
WEEKEND OF August 4-5, 2007
Trip Report:
After sighting over 15 harbor porpoises just beyond the Golden Gate Bridge, we sighted our first of 14 humpback whales in the Gulf of the Farallones. We were also privileged to see 2 blue whales during the day which were our first blues of the season. One juvenile blue, around 2 or 3 years old, surfaced close to our vessel followed shortly after by an adult surfacing parallel right next to our boat. The adult was around 95 feet long and both blue whales appeared to be very healthy. They blue whales appeared to be deep dive feeding. We spent about 20 minutes with these magnificent creatures.
Some of the humpback whales approached our vessel within 30 feet of the boat and participants enjoyed great close-up views for over 50 minutes. A variety of behaviors were observed from the humpback whales which included breaching, spy hopping, flipper slapping & lunge feeding, all within about 30-100 yards from the boat. Sardines and other unidentified schooling fish were observed while the humpbacks went about vertical lunge feeding.
Other sightings this weekend included harbor porpoise, California sea lions, Stellar sea lions, Northern Elephant Seals and Harbor seals, along with moon jellies and 22 species of birds including Black-footed albatross, Leach's storm-petrel, Ashy storm-petrel and tufted puffins. Other bird species included Western grebes, Pink-footed shearwaters, Sooty shearwaters, Brown pelicans, Double-crested cormorants, Brandt's cormorant, Pelagic cormorants, Surf scoters, Black oysercatchers, Red-necked phalarope, Heermann's gulls, California gulls, Western gulls, Gloucous-winged gulls, Caspian terns, Elegant terns, Forester's Tern, Common murres, Pigeon guillemots, Casin's aukelet and Rhinoceros auklets.
Also seen on the Salty Lady this Sunday was a Leatherback Sea Turtle found 12 miles WSW of Point Bonita. Great sightings were seen by all.
WEEKEND OF July 21-22, 2007
Trip Report:
Welcome to the Oceanic Society's Farallon Whale Watch Sightings Report for July 21 and 22, 2007. "30 Humpback Whales Sighted in One Day"
July 21, Naturalist Juan Carlos Solis:
After sighting 10 harbor porpoises just beyond the Golden Gate Bridge, we sighted our first of 20 humpback whales in the Gulf of the Farallones, including 3 cow/calf pairs. Some of the whales approached our vessel within 50 feet of the boat and participants enjoyed great close-up views. A variety of behaviors were observed included flipper slapping, spy hoping, lunge feeding and breaching, all with about 50-100 yards from the boat. Sardines and other unidentified schooling fish were observed and participants could see the shoals "boiling" at the surface. Another highlight was close up looks at the impressive male Steller sea lions. For many highlights included close-up sighings of tufted puffins in full breeding plumage. Other sightings included California sea lions and harbor seals. Bird sightings included over 5,000 common murres plus pink-footed and sooty shearwaters, brown pelicans, Brandt's and pelagic cormorants, black oystercatchers, red-necked phalarope, red phalarope, Heerman's gulls, Western gulls, Caspian terns, Forster's terns, pigeon guillemots, Cassin's and rhinoceros auklets.
WEEKEND OF June 16-17, 2007
Trip Report:
Naturalist Roger Harris. After sighting a small group of harbor porpoises under the Golden Gate Bridge, we came upon a group of four humpback whales feeding on large quantities of fish about 9 miles east of the Farallones. They approached close to the boat, repeatedly rising to the surface and blowing six or seven times before lifting their flukes and disappearing on their longer dives. On the ride back, we came upon another group of three humpbacks, who executed a deep dive and were not sighted again.. Other sightings included California sea lions, Steller sea lions, and harbor seals. Bird sightings included western grebes, pink-footed and sooty shearwaters, brown pelicans, double-crested, Brand,s and pelagic cormorants, black oystercatchers, western gulls, Caspian terns, common murres, pigeon guillemots, Cassin's and rhinoceros auklets, tufted puffins, and and another (similar to 2 June) very exciting and extremely rare sighting of a Horned Puffin.
Naturalist led trips to the Farallon Islands and, weather permitting, the Continental Shelf depart from San Franciscoo on weekends May through November. Trips are filling up. Make your reservations today! Call (415) 474-3385. Or simply download our registration form and fax it to our office, (415) 474-3395. Or register via Acteva as offered at the bottom of the Farallon Islands schedule.
In cooperation with Cascadia Research, the Oceanic Society sponsors long-term humpack whale research in the Gulf of the Farallones. Many of the whale watching trips include dedicated whale field researchers.
Look for our Adopt-A-Whale program to be launched this summer. You can keep up with the life histories of individual Farallon Islands whales and learn their migration routes.
WEEKEND OF June 2-3, 2007
Trip Report:
Naturalist Roger Harris. Our San Francisco Farallon Island trip had outstanding weather conditions, and even better whale sightings. We first encountered up to 20 harbor porpoises under the Golden Gate Bridge. Three miles east of the Farallones we sighted our first of what would end up being 16 humpback whales, in groups of about three. We had outstanding close-up sightings of a group of three, then another group of two, and we stayed with them for nearly two hours. We also had great sightings of California sea lions, Steller sea lions, northern elephant seals, and harbor seals. Bird sightings included Common loons, Western grebes, Sooty shearwaters, Double-crested, Brandt's and Pelagic cormorants, Western gulls, Caspian and Forster's terns, Common murres, Pigeon guillemots, Cassin's auklets, Rhinocerous auklets, and a very exciting and extremely rare sighting of a Horned puffin in Fishermen's Cove at the Farallon Islands.
Naturalist led trips to the Farallon Islands and, weather permitting, the Continental Shelf depart from San Franciscoo on weekends May through November. Trips are filling up. Make your reservations today! Call (415) 474-3385. Or simply download our registration form and fax it to our office, (415) 474-3395. Or register via Acteva as offered at the bottom of the Farallon Islands schedule.
In cooperation with Cascadia Research, the Oceanic Society sponsors long-term humpack whale research in the Gulf of the Farallones. Many of the whale watching trips include dedicated whale field researchers.
Look for our Adopt-A-Whale program to be launched this summer. You can keep up with the life histories of individual Farallon Islands whales and learn their migration routes.
WEEKEND OF May 26-27, 2007
Trip Report:
Welcome to the Oceanic Society's Farallon Whale Watch Sightings Report for May 26, 2007.
May 26th trip: Naturalist Susan Sherman. A total of 20-25 humpback whales were sighted on Saturday's trip aboard the Salty Lady. Six whales were observed for an hour only to be interrupted by a breaching whale in the distance. Then 8 additional whales were spotted in the area and whale watchers were treated to a full range of behavioral events including breaching, blowing, and fluking. Additional pairs of whales where sighted in the distance, and then enroute back to the Golden Gate Bridge whale watchers were treated to sightings for four humpback whales. Other marine mammal sightings included harbor porpoise, elephant seals, California sea lions, Steller sea lions and harbor seals. Bird sightings included: Western grebe, Brown pelican, Double-cested cormorant, Brandt's cormorant, Pelagic cormorant, Black oystercatcher, Brown pelican, Sotty shearwater, Red-necked phalarope, Pink-footed shearwater, Western gull, Elegant tern, Common murre, Cassin's auklet, Rhinoceros auklet, Tufted puffin, and Pigeon guillemot.
Naturalist led trips to the Farallon Islands and, weather permitting, the Continental Shelf depart from San Franciscoo on weekends May through November. Trips are filling up. Make your reservations today! Call (415) 474-3385. Or simply download our registration form and fax it to our office, (415) 474-3395. Or register via Acteva as offered at the bottom of the Farallon Islands schedule.
In cooperation with Cascadia Research, the Oceanic Society sponsors long-term humpack whale research in the Gulf of the Farallones. Many of the whale watching trips include dedicated whale field researchers.
Look for our Adopt-A-Whale program to be launched this summer. You can keep up with the life histories of individual Farallon Islands whales and learn their migration routes.
WEEKEND OF March 3-4, 2007
Trip Report:
A fantastic weekend for all trips: beautiful weather, calm seas, and incredible wildlife sightings.
Saturday and Sundays Half Moon Bay trips had a total of 19 gray whale sightings. Highlights included several gray whales coming close to the boat and several others breaching nearby. We also had sightings of eight sea otters near the harbor entrance, and about 20 harbor porpoise too. Sightings included 4 California sea lions and 4 harbor seals. Bird sightings included loons, grebes, fulmars, pelicans, cormorants, scoters, oystercatchers, gulls, and murres.
Bodega Bay's trips sighted 11 gray whales including a mother/calf pair. We also came upon a group of Risso's dolphins as well, plus up to 60 California sea lions, 2 steller sea lions, and more than 30 harbor seals. Bird sightings included loons, grebes, cormorants, scoters, mergansers, oystercatchers, jaegers, gulls, murres and auklets.
San Francisco's trip had up to 20 gray whale sightings, including a mother/calf pair within 200 feet of the boat. We also saw California sea lions and harbor seals, and bird sightings included loons, grebes, cormorants, scoters, oystercatchers, jaegers, gulls, murres and auklets.
Naturalist led trips whale watch trips to observe the gray whale migration depart from San Francisco and Half Moon Bay on weekends December through mid-May. Trips are filling up. Make your reservations today! Call (415) 474-3385. Or simply download our registration form and fax it to our office, (415) 474-3395. Or register via Acteva as offered at the bottom of the trip schedule.
Naturalist led trips to the Farallon Islands and weather permitting the Continental Shelf , to observe the humpback and blue whales plus seabirds and other marine life, depart from San Francisco on weekends mid-May through November. Make your reservations today! Call (415) 474-3385. Or simply download our registration form and fax it to our office, (415) 474-3395. Or register via Acteva as offered at the bottom of the Farallon Islands schedule.
WEEKEND OF January 28, 2007
Trip Report:
Sunday's trip highlights: Half Moon Bay Sightings: Izzy Iszczepaniak
Upon leaving the harbor we encountered a harbor seal bobbing in the water between the first two buoys. We also sighted a single sea otter floating on its back chomping on some food in the same area. A sighting of a California sea lion rounded out the sightings in the first hour.
